This isn't a garden!
It's a containment yard for a load of revved-up extras in a DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS remake.
OMG! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!
"Prepare the Napalm...
...We're going in..."
WHAT DO WE FIND AT THE HEART OF ALL THIS ABUNDANCE?
...And their ability to wield them...
Bec has kindly agreed to share a photograph of Thommo's...!
Bec and Thommo are about to move their Operation into The Avenue. They're going to clean out Zeus's shelter and make it funky!
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| These Babies look lethal! |
A GARDEN RESURRECTED!
This is an old family kitchen garden that fell into disuse. It had sustained the Thompson family for generations.
Hill End is not an easy place for a gardener. The soil is heavy clay. It freezes in the winter and bakes in the summer. It initially repels water, then becomes so waterlogged, I doubt our local potters could work it.
It is rich soil however and, over many years, this particular patch has had an enormous amount of work done to it. Many things thrive here and the produce is beyond good.
Hill End has a short growing season. Late or early frosts decimate gardens overnight. The summers are drought afflicted or storm prone.
If the drought don't get you; the hailstones will.
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This garden was site of "The Watermelon Massacre".
Huge, end-of-summer watermelons bursting with chilled sweetness and and crunch, died a terrible death in a sudden violent hailstorm. No-one was spared.
It's sadness is beyond my ability to convey.
These are pumpkins I know...
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The bones in this garden are excellent. Everything stands to attention. Nothing that isn't meant to, droops or falls over. It's a very virile place. Plants clamber upward, with such vigour, only Thommo's hand-milled "Worthy of Dracula Stakes" can take the load.
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| This garden pumps with Herculean force. |
Thommo worked this garden with his Dad, Herbie, and his grandfather, Charlie.
Hill End has, until even recently, been a remote place. Self-sufficiency was an essential way of life. Everyone had a kitchen garden and the area abounds in fruit trees.
In a village of competitive gardeners, Thommo, is renowned.
Hill End has, until even recently, been a remote place. Self-sufficiency was an essential way of life. Everyone had a kitchen garden and the area abounds in fruit trees.
In a village of competitive gardeners, Thommo, is renowned.
Bec brings an ambition and passionate energy to this project. She has pushed it to another level. It's in her blood I think. She has a background in perma-culture. This knowledge augments the years of natural organic-practice inherent in this garden. It is organic in principle and would, more than likely, comply with certification. But, at this stage, that's not an issue.
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There can no better way to spend time than to sit under the shaded branches of the fruit and nut trees and look out, across the dazzling light, and watch the vegetables just getting the job done. This garden grows in front of your eyes. By day or night it's a wonderful thing to do.
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Enter at your peril!
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Bec is well assisted by Thommo is realising their ambitions.
Thommo can move the Earth.
Literally.
The Thompson family are miners and earth movers by nature. They are famous in the area for their mechanical ingenuity. They have every handy-dandy piece of earth-moving equipment you would ever want to see.
The men in this family are also famous for their tools.
Bec has kindly agreed to share a photograph of Thommo's...!
HERE IT IS...
THOMMO'S TOOL
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| Isn't it beautiful? Bec even offered to let us see Dave's tool in action!! Very generous girl! |
Bec and Thommo have, in this first year of their marriage, breathed new life back into this garden. You only have to look at it to know that the Breath is Good!
It is a triumph of ambition and execution.
A true marriage.
A celebration of its long history.
And it's about to get better...!
Bec and Thommo are about to move their Operation into The Avenue. They're going to clean out Zeus's shelter and make it funky!
It doesn't get any more local than this!
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| The Old Stable... |
The garden can be no more than 30 metres away. It will form a beautiful backdrop.
It is going to be gorgeous. Very special.
If the sheep can stay, all the better.
If the sheep can stay, all the better.
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| Might be a lamb on the way...! |
There is no doubt this area is fast becoming the posh, and happening, end of town.
Bill and Genevieve Moseley, of Hill End Press fame, are directly opposite!
Steve and Sue Rattray, great supporters of local produce through their BB and Cafe Hosie's are planting a vineyard next door.
Shira-lee Seamen is free-ranging chickens not too far away.
Hen's of Hill End!
HAPPY EASTER!!!
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| This year's essential egg-cesory. A reusable egg-carrier!... Painted eggs beautifully created and generously shared by Suela. Thanks to Suela who will also have a stall at the Hall Markets on Saturday and Sunday. Come along! Egg carrier and great skull bandana from Northeys! |
Could Maggie be right? Is this the Paris End of town?
The Grand Opening is Easter Saturday.
A time of powerful Anniversaries.
It promises to be a feast for all the senses.
N.B The house yard and the garden will not be open.
Be there. Around 10am.
Come and enjoy our Avenue!
Drive Safely.
Drive Safely.
With thanks to all the people who have worked tirelessly to rejuvenate it.
Later....
By the time I took leave of Bec and Thommo's generous hospitality the sun had shifted and the garden looked like this...
There are many memories and many ghosts in this garden....
Among them are, the infamous Wombi and the beautiful Zeus...
Some say there is no mystery to Wombi's disappearance but, on a night like this, I don't believe it.
Other Easter News
Lino Alvarez is holding conducting a POTTERY DEMONSTRATION at 2pm on Easter Saturday. Word is he will be throwing a BIG pot AND firing up a raku kiln.
At La Paloma 2pm.
Kim Deacon is giving two concerts at the Sacred Heart Church on Easter Sunday (12pm and 3pm).
The Presbyterian Church will be holding a Sunday evening service. 6pm. The candelabras will be lit!
The Hall will be hosting Markets. Saturday and Sunday.
Ted Abbot says there will be NO gold panning tours unless it rains.!!!!
NORTHEYS will be open!
HOSIES will be open too. They are serving evening meals but are ALREADY BOOKED OUT.
THE GENERAL STORE will be open (in addition to their normal hours) for DINNER on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
(IF I'VE MISSED ANYTHING LET ME KNOW AND I'LL INCLUDE IT)
- Many thanks to Bec and Thommo for allowing me into their garden.
STOP PRESS BREAKING NEWS
CELEBRATED TUBER AGREES TO KICK OFF NEW GARDEN SEGMENT.
"VOICES FROM THE GARDEN..."
WHERE PLANTS ARE INVITED TO TALK BACK...
What we found at the bottom of Bec and Thommo's garden...
MR POTATO HEAD INVITES US INTO HIS WORLD!!!!
Celebrated Spud loves nothing more than forking over his patch!
Mr Potato Head kindly agreed to answer a few quick questions when I stumbled upon him and broke his cover down the bottom of Bec and Thommo's garden.
The first question I had to ask was...?
Mr Potato Head, what are you doing here?????
I was born here. It's true. I'm a local. Don't look so gob-smacked. This place is famous for its potatoes. I go back a long way in this country. I'm proud to call Hill End, no matter how humble, home. All the family are here. I like to come back, leave the mansions and the caviar behind at just be... one of the spuds.
You look purpose built to play footy. Did you ever try-out? You look like you'd be a great five-eight.
Wally Lewis thought exactly that. I love the game. Just love it. Fact is, I kept getting mistaken for the ball! Got the chip kicked out of me. Wally tried to steer me into coaching. Thought it would be a great use of my charisma and leadership skills. I did have ambitions but then...well... mega-stardom came my way and the rest is, as they say, History.
What about Music? Favourite singer?
Barry White. Without a doubt. Me and Barry...? When we went out together...? I tell ya. I love nothing more that cruising around in the limmo with the Bostons cranked to the max! "I'm never going to give you up". The Chicky-chips can't resist it.
Come to Tattie baby!
You eat Chips!!!!!
That's a bit personal isn't it?
Sorry we weren't on the same page. Talking of food... Your favourite?
Macaroni Cheese. When the world turns into a cold hard place... I turn to my casserole dish! We have a pottery here in Town. La Paloma! I get all my cookware there.
What about Fashion?
Linda Jackson. What that woman can't do to fabric isn't worth doing. Linda and I go way back. She lives in the area now you know? I met Chanel once. Oh, she was a tight faced little vixen but could she dress!
Do you like Cinema?
Love it! Just love it! You know, I mix with a lot a stars, and out all of them..? You gotto love Tarantino! You might think a guy like me, with my fabulous life, would be free of regrets but I have one. Quentin offered me the part of Vincent Vega. I turned it down!!
John Travalota's got me to thank for where he is now! Hi John! I'll be in LA soon.
Favourite Fictional Character
Noddy! I love a red car.
Top Gardening Tip...
Get out there and just do it!
Mulch, mulch and more mulch...
Relaxation?
Gardening of course. Fly-fishing. Dancing. I love to cut a rug. I'm an expert Flamenco dancer you know? I'm thinking of opening a Tapas bar in town. This village needs some class. I'm thinking of calling it "PATATAS TAPAS". That's an anagram you know.
Big dance-floor. Olé!
Come inside, I'll show you my scrapbooks....
Mr Potato Head can truly claim to be a man of humble beginnings.
What happened inside this door?
To be continued....
COMING SOON... ANOTHER GARDEN AND GARDENER. WHO'S UP FOR IT...??
All copyright with Karin Mainwaring
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There are many memories and many ghosts in this garden....
Among them are, the infamous Wombi and the beautiful Zeus...
Some say there is no mystery to Wombi's disappearance but, on a night like this, I don't believe it.
Other Easter News
|
|
STOP PRESS BREAKING NEWS
CELEBRATED TUBER AGREES TO KICK OFF NEW GARDEN SEGMENT.
"VOICES FROM THE GARDEN..." WHERE PLANTS ARE INVITED TO TALK BACK... What we found at the bottom of Bec and Thommo's garden... MR POTATO HEAD INVITES US INTO HIS WORLD!!!! |
| Celebrated Spud loves nothing more than forking over his patch! |
Mr Potato Head kindly agreed to answer a few quick questions when I stumbled upon him and broke his cover down the bottom of Bec and Thommo's garden.
The first question I had to ask was...?
Mr Potato Head, what are you doing here?????
I was born here. It's true. I'm a local. Don't look so gob-smacked. This place is famous for its potatoes. I go back a long way in this country. I'm proud to call Hill End, no matter how humble, home. All the family are here. I like to come back, leave the mansions and the caviar behind at just be... one of the spuds.
The first question I had to ask was...?
Mr Potato Head, what are you doing here?????
I was born here. It's true. I'm a local. Don't look so gob-smacked. This place is famous for its potatoes. I go back a long way in this country. I'm proud to call Hill End, no matter how humble, home. All the family are here. I like to come back, leave the mansions and the caviar behind at just be... one of the spuds.
You look purpose built to play footy. Did you ever try-out? You look like you'd be a great five-eight.
Wally Lewis thought exactly that. I love the game. Just love it. Fact is, I kept getting mistaken for the ball! Got the chip kicked out of me. Wally tried to steer me into coaching. Thought it would be a great use of my charisma and leadership skills. I did have ambitions but then...well... mega-stardom came my way and the rest is, as they say, History.
What about Music? Favourite singer?
Barry White. Without a doubt. Me and Barry...? When we went out together...? I tell ya. I love nothing more that cruising around in the limmo with the Bostons cranked to the max! "I'm never going to give you up". The Chicky-chips can't resist it.
Come to Tattie baby!
You eat Chips!!!!!
That's a bit personal isn't it?
Sorry we weren't on the same page. Talking of food... Your favourite?
Wally Lewis thought exactly that. I love the game. Just love it. Fact is, I kept getting mistaken for the ball! Got the chip kicked out of me. Wally tried to steer me into coaching. Thought it would be a great use of my charisma and leadership skills. I did have ambitions but then...well... mega-stardom came my way and the rest is, as they say, History.
What about Music? Favourite singer?
Barry White. Without a doubt. Me and Barry...? When we went out together...? I tell ya. I love nothing more that cruising around in the limmo with the Bostons cranked to the max! "I'm never going to give you up". The Chicky-chips can't resist it.
Come to Tattie baby!
You eat Chips!!!!!
That's a bit personal isn't it?
Sorry we weren't on the same page. Talking of food... Your favourite?
Macaroni Cheese. When the world turns into a cold hard place... I turn to my casserole dish! We have a pottery here in Town. La Paloma! I get all my cookware there.
What about Fashion?
Linda Jackson. What that woman can't do to fabric isn't worth doing. Linda and I go way back. She lives in the area now you know? I met Chanel once. Oh, she was a tight faced little vixen but could she dress!
Do you like Cinema?
Love it! Just love it! You know, I mix with a lot a stars, and out all of them..? You gotto love Tarantino! You might think a guy like me, with my fabulous life, would be free of regrets but I have one. Quentin offered me the part of Vincent Vega. I turned it down!!
John Travalota's got me to thank for where he is now! Hi John! I'll be in LA soon.
Favourite Fictional Character
Noddy! I love a red car.
Top Gardening Tip...
Get out there and just do it!
Mulch, mulch and more mulch...
Relaxation?
Gardening of course. Fly-fishing. Dancing. I love to cut a rug. I'm an expert Flamenco dancer you know? I'm thinking of opening a Tapas bar in town. This village needs some class. I'm thinking of calling it "PATATAS TAPAS". That's an anagram you know.
Big dance-floor. Olé!
Come inside, I'll show you my scrapbooks....
Mr Potato Head can truly claim to be a man of humble beginnings.
What happened inside this door?
To be continued....
COMING SOON... ANOTHER GARDEN AND GARDENER. WHO'S UP FOR IT...??
All copyright with Karin Mainwaring
